Stair making

[shiela@eircom.net]

Is anyone out there using ShopBot for stairmaking ? John Shiel

[Charles T]

We had a job where we replaced the steps and rails and we use the shopbot to do it, just what are you trying to do?

Charles

[shiela@eircom.net]

Hi Charles,My son and I specialise in making stairs
We are considering a ShopBot for routing the strings .Currently we use two Ryobi hand held machines and a stair jig . We propose to have a table 4' by 16' to avoid re-positioning.
We would also like to use the machine for making winding steps and routing newels for windings.We do not expect it to be faster than we are now, but we hope for greater accuracy .At a later date we may use it for machining scrolls and handrail bends. Any advice you offer is appreciated

[jimt]

I have used my machine for a few jobs doing volutes and transition pieces for handrails. the probing function comes in really handy for making parts to match manufactured handrail sections.

[johnsump@qwest.net]

Jim Turner,

When you say you are making transition pieces are you talking about various fittings, etc., of just a few shapes.

We are a custome stairbuilder considering CNC for fittings. One question we have is how much pwer can we get with a shopbot? We use a "Pin" type router now that traces a shape and runs blanks through a shaper/molder style cutter head.


John S.

[Wdyasq@yahoo.com]

John,

One of the nice things about a ShopBot is it works while you do something else. Well, after you are finished being amazed the thing is doing those repeditive tasks so accuratly and for little money.

One also takes small cuts to avoid overloading the tool. for making larger cuts, you take a roughing pass or two and then take the last .020 off in a final clean-up pass.

Ron Brown - wdyasq@yahoo.com

If Stupidity got us into this mess,
then why can't it get us out? - Will Rogers

[johnsump]

Ron,

Thanks for the information. We make several passes as well when we use our smaller equipment. But, we can make up a starting blank that is within .25" or closer. With that small amount of excess material we can trim out a fitting pretty quickly on the smaller routers (3hp or 3.5hp Bosch).

Our fittings are typically cut out of 3" stock, usually oak, maple or some other hardwood.

We want to be making fitings at a much faster rate and with less set-up and manufacturing time. I was thinking about a 10hp spindle but wonder if the shopbot and handle that type machine.